Manitoba invites 186 candidates in first Expression of Interest draw of 2020The province at the heart of Canada also sent out invitations to 24 Express Entry candidates

International student graduates and skilled workers both in Manitoba and abroad were invited in the latest Expression of Interest draw on January 2.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) released details of the draw yesterday. They issued a total of 186 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to candidates in the following three streams: Skilled Workers in Manitoba; Skilled Workers Overseas; and the International Education Stream.

Invitations were distributed as follows:

Skilled workers in Manitoba: 122

Skilled Workers Overseas: 42

International Education: 22

This is Manitoba’s 80th EOI draw since the program began in April 2014.

Express Entry candidates invited

Out of the 186 LAAs issued in Manitoba’s latest draw, 24 went to candidates who had a profile in the Express Entry pool.

Express Entry candidates are given a score based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that measures human capital factors such as age, work experience, education, and language ability. The highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular draws from the Express Entry pool.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 CRS points, which effectively guarantee an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

Expression of Interest

In order to be invited for a provincial nomination from Manitoba through both the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas categories, candidates need to register an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the MPNP.

An EOI is an online profile that is ranked out of a score of 1,000. Points are awarded for a candidate’s education, work experience, connections to Manitoba and proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

A set number of the highest-scoring candidates receive an LAA, allowing them to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence from Manitoba.

In the latest draw, the lowest-ranked candidate invited under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream had a score of 534.

The lowest-ranked candidate invited from the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream had a score of 708.

Skilled Worker Overseas and Skilled Worker in Manitoba

Candidates must have an established connection to Manitoba such as close family or friends, previous education or work experience in the province, or an invitation through one of the MPNP’s Strategic Recruitment Initiatives, among other requirements.

They do not need to be in Manitoba at the time of application in order to qualify.

The 42 candidates invited through the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream were invited directly by the MPNP under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.